We've been around office furniture for a while.
George Walkers itself has been around since 1908, so we've seen a few trends come and go.
Some were brilliant.
Some were practical.
And some should remain safely in the past where they can't hurt anyone.
Here are a few office trends we're not exactly campaigning to bring back.
1. The Enormous Corner Desk
You know the one.
It's approximately the size of a small Auckland apartment and seems to have been designed for someone simultaneously operating six computers, conducting a board meeting and landing aircraft.
Corner desks had their moment.
Unfortunately, modern offices generally want flexibility — and enormous L-shaped desks aren't particularly flexible.
They're also incredibly entertaining when someone discovers they don't fit through the door.
2. The Cubicle Maze
Rows.
And rows.
And rows.
Of tall partitions.
Some offices became so heavily partitioned you could work three metres away from someone for five years and never actually see them.
Partitions still absolutely have a place in modern offices, particularly for acoustics and privacy.
But perhaps we don't need to recreate a hedge maze.
3. The Executive Desk the Size of Tasmania
There was once a very simple equation:
More important job = bigger desk.
Managers got big desks.
Senior managers got enormous desks.
And the boss received something resembling an aircraft carrier.
Thankfully, workplaces have become considerably more flexible.
Your job title probably doesn't need to determine your desktop square meterage.
4. Fifty Shades of Office Grey
Grey desk.
Grey chair.
Grey carpet.
Grey partitions.
Grey filing cabinet.
Occasionally somebody would introduce a burgundy visitor chair just to really shake things up.
Neutral colours are still incredibly practical, but modern workplaces can introduce personality through plants, artwork, soft seating, acoustic panels and colour without making the office look like a waiting room from 1997.
5. Filing Cabinets. Filing Cabinets Everywhere.
There was a time when offices needed huge amounts of physical document storage.
Walls of filing cabinets.
Tambours.
Pedestals.
Cupboards full of paper.
Digital storage changed all of that.
Storage is still important, but many modern businesses simply don't need anywhere near the amount they once did.
Which is probably good news for whoever used to have the bottom drawer.
6. The Reception Desk Fortress
Some old reception counters were magnificent.
Huge.
Curved.
Raised.
Sometimes granite.
Occasionally large enough to have their own postcode.
The receptionist would appear somewhere behind it like the operator of a very stylish bunker.
Modern receptions generally tend to be lighter, more open and more welcoming.
And considerably easier to relocate.
7. Furniture That Can Only Do One Thing
Modern offices change.
Teams grow.
People move.
Hybrid working changes how desks are used.
Meeting spaces become project areas.
Project areas become breakout spaces.
Furniture that can be reconfigured, moved and reused makes those changes much easier.
We're big believers in furniture having a long life — and flexibility helps make that possible.
But here's the funny thing about trends...
They come back.
Colours return.
Old designs suddenly become cool again.
Vintage furniture gets rediscovered.
And something everyone wanted removed ten years ago can suddenly become desirable.
So perhaps we shouldn't say these trends should never return.
We'll just say:
We're not quite ready for the giant corner desk revival yet.
Although somewhere in the George Walkers warehouse...
There's probably one waiting.
